Phenol → Butyl phenyl ether

Participants

Reaction Steps

Phenol (0.5 mole) was added to a solution of sodium ethoxide in ethanol (2 N; 250 ml) and 1-bromobutane (0.5 mole) was added dropwise while stirring. The mixture was heated under reflux for three hours and most of the solvent was then distilled off. Water was added to the residue and the organic layer was separated, washed twice with 10% aqueous NaOH, water, dilute H2SO4 and water, and was then dried over MgSO4. It was distilled in vacuo to give the title compound, b.p. 88°-91° C. at 14 mm Hg pressure. The identity and purity was confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and NMR and IR spectroscopy.

Provenance & Evidence